A famous figure in North Lincolnshire football for many decades was a spectator at the Brigg Town v Winterton Rangers Buildbase FA Vase tie at the EC Surfacing Stadium (Hawthorns) on Saturday (September 19).
As Town's influential manager, Ralph 'Raz' Clayton led the club to victory in two FA Vase finals - at the original Wembley stadium, London, in 1996 and again in 2003 at West Ham United's Upton Park.
'Raz' managed Brigg and also had a spells in charge at Scunthorpe steelworks club Appleby-Frodingham, Bottesford and other clubs.
Winterton won 3-2 on Saturday before a sizeable crowd, now confirmed as 260 - just 40 short of the government-permitted maximum.
In the next round, Rangers will meet New Mills. The Peak District town's vicar is Father Owain Mitchell, who moved there from St John's Church, Brigg, in January.
'Raz' is pictured above, covering his face during a light-hearted moment with the Brigg Town team in the 1970s.
Third from right is another Lincolnshire football legend - centre-forward Matt Tees who played for Grimsby Town in two spells during the 1960s and early 1970s, averaging an impressive goal every other game for the Mariners in the Football League.
Brigg Town first teamers will finally get under way in ToolStation Northern Counties East Division One on Wednesday (September 23) the start of their league season having been delayed several weeks due to the Coronavirus emergency. Town will be hosting Nostell Miners Welfare (7.45pm KO). The licensed Hawthorns bar will be open, as will Pips Kitchen for food. Social distancing measures will be in force in the stands and the clubhouse. On Wednesday night, Brigg Town CIC Reserves will be away to Lincoln Moorlands Railway in the Balcan Lighting Supplies Lincolnshire League Premier.
On Saturday (September 26) the first team journeys to Harrogate Railway Athletic for an afternoon fixture. Brigg Reserves will host Grantham Town Academy in a league fixture on Saturday (3pm).
